Recycling shame of local councils uncovered

Eight out of ten of the top councils for recycling are Conservative-led (Image: Highwaystarz Photography) Eight out of the top 10 best-performing councils for recycling household waste are

Conservative-led, figures reveal today.  A study of official data also shows that seven out of the worst 10 areas in the country are run by Labour.  Newham in east London came bottom, with

the Labour council sending just 14 per cent of waste for recycling – far below the Government’s target of 50 per cent by 2020.  Birmingham, which has suffered repeated bin strikes, is the

fourth worst along with Jeremy Corbyn’s own Labour council, Islington, sending one-fifth of rubbish for recycling.  RELATED ARTICLES East Riding of Yorkshire is the best council for

recycling (Image: N/C) In contrast, Conservative-led East Riding of Yorkshire, South Oxfordshire and Rochford had the best recycling rates in the UK, sending nearly two-thirds of waste to be

reused.  The findings make a mockery of Labour’s Green New Deal policy, a grassroots campaign to push the party to transform the UK economy, tackle inequality and address the escalating

climate crisis.  Analysis of recent data from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs also shows that, on average, Conservative-run councils reused, recycled or composted

111,841 tons of household waste, whereas for Labour authorities the average figure was 55,525 tons.  Meanwhile, the London Borough of Newham in East London is the worst council for recycling

(Image: N/C) Sandy Martin, shadow minister for waste and recycling, told MPs last week that recycling rates have flatlined because of cutbacks to council budgets.  Speaking in a

parliamentary debate on plastics pollution, he said: “After years of austerity, local government, which is responsible for waste and recycling, has been left underfunded and understaffed.” 

Michael Gove insists that Labour councils are guilty of not practising what they preach (Image: Reuters/Toby Melville) But Environment Secretary Michael Gove has hit back at that claim,

insisting Labour is guilty of not practising what it preaches.  “I am delighted that Conservative councils are the best in the country when it comes to recycling and tackling the scourge of

waste,” he said.  “It blights our countryside, harms our wildlife, pollutes our seas and spoils our towns. Despite their rhetoric, Labour are trying to play catch-up with the Conservatives

on protecting our environment and failing.  “We are committed to leaving our planet in a better state for the next generation.”  Newham council claim that its recycling rates are a result of

the borough's dense population (Image: Steve Bell) Newham council said its recycling rates are affected by it being densely populated with a large number of flats, high levels of

diversity, transience and relative deprivation.  Some experts have warned that the push to recycle is at risk from a boom in building incinerators.  Twice as much waste is being burnt in

plants as eight years ago.  Twice as much waste is being burnt in plants as eight years ago (Image: Glen Minikin) Twice as much waste is being burnt in plants as eight years ago. In the 12

months to March last year, 50 of 123 councils incinerated more than half the household rubbish they collected, including plastic and paper, according to official figures. The worst are in

London. Westminster burned 82 per cent.  The proportion of waste we burnt is 42 per cent, around 10.8 million tons, up seven per cent in a year.  "Labour are intent on playing

politics" (Image: Alberto Pezzali/NurPhoto/Getty) COMMENT - MICHAEL GOVE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS This Conservative Government is committed to leaving

our environment in a better state for future generations.  And wherever Conservatives are in government across the country, we are delivering for you, your family and the next generation. 

At a national level, we’ve launched a 25-year plan to clean up our air and water; ensure our plants and animals are thriving; and to deliver a cleaner, greener country.  Just take our 5p

plastic bag charge as an example. It’s taken over 15 billion bags out of circulation, helping to prevent them blighting our towns and countryside – and polluting our rivers and seas, choking

precious marine life.  As Environment Secretary, I’ve delivered a plan to overhaul our waste system too.  We all need to play our part in cleaning up our environment. But it can be

confusing knowing what you can and can’t recycle. And if you move to another area, the rules can be totally different.  Conservatives in government will end that confusion, making it easier

to recycle with a set of standards for councils across England.  But while we are taking action, Labour are intent on playing politics – doing little more to advance the cause than issuing

press releases.  Just look at Jeremy Corbyn’s own Labour council. Islington is the joint fourth-worst council in the country for recycling, sending just one-fifth of rubbish collected for

recycling.Analysis shows that from London to Birmingham to Cumbria, Labour councils are the worst for recycling.  Shockingly, they send half of the amount of waste for recycling as

Conservative councils do, the weight equivalent of nearly 5,000 London buses. As ever with the Labour Party, they don’t practise what they preach.  In contrast, from Yorkshire to Surrey,

Conservative councils have the best recycling rates.  Vote for your local Conservative councillors, for better recycling, better local services and value for money on your council tax.